Humason becomes Westfield mayor-elect after McCabe concedes

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – After a very close race for mayor in Westfield, Westfield Police Captain Michael McCabe did not ask for a recount and conceded, making Don Humason the mayor-elect of Westfield.

The two candidates made the announcement in a joint news conference at Humason’s Senate District Office in Westfield on Friday morning.

McCabe was told anytime there is an election within one percentage point that there is an automatic recount, something that is true in 20 states by law, but not in Massachusetts.

He said in the news conference that in the best interest of the City he decided not to go forward with a recount for very specific reasons.

“I don’t think Don’s administration should start that way and I don’t think the City should bear the extra costs to go through that process.”

The results indicated that State Sen. Don Humason will be the new mayor of Westfield, but it was a close call. The margin between Humason and McCabe is just 97 votes; giving Humason a lead of less than 1%.

McCabe had called Humason on election night to congratulate him, but he did not formally concede. On Wednesday morning, McCabe told 22News he would take a few days to consider whether to call for a recount.

The announcement came the same day Mayor Brian Sullivan is supposed to leave office. Sullivan is departing early after taking a job in the Baker Administration as the director of the Green Communities division of the state’s Department of Energy Resources. City Council President Ralph Figy will serve as interim mayor until January 7, when the winner of the election is sworn in.